Egg chain gripper actuating device and egg transfer device

ABSTRACT

An egg chain gripper actuating device for use with an egg transfer device. The device has an egg conveyor with parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each chain supporting egg grippers, which can be individually actuated. The device further comprises an egg receiving unit with a receiving area for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers, and one group of one or more actuators for each egg chain for selectively actuating passing egg grippers. Multiple support frames are provided, each supporting one or more groups of actuators. At least one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction and relative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of the one or more groups supported by the other frame.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/819,706, filed Apr. 17, 2013, which is a U.S. National Phase ofPCT/NL2010/050548, filed Sep. 1, 2010, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the application relates to an egg chain gripperactuating device for use with an egg transfer device.

Actuating devices for use with grippers are known in the prior art.Typically, egg transfer devices are provided with an egg conveyorcomprising two or more parallel egg chains movable in a transportdirection. Each egg chain supports a plurality of egg grippers which areeach adapted to support an egg. The grippers can individually beactuated from a closed position, for supporting an egg, into an openposition, for releasing an egg. The egg conveyor furthermore comprisesan egg chain conveyor drive for driving the egg chains at a transportspeed.

The eggs are dropped from the moving grippers into an egg receiving unitwith a receiving area for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers.The receiving area is for example defined by a pair of counter rotatingbrush wheels, and is located below the egg conveyor such that thevertical distance between one egg chain and the receiving area is largerthan the vertical distance between an adjacent egg chain and thereceiving area.

For activating the grippers, actuators are provided. The actuatorsactuate passing egg grippers into an open position to release an egg.The released egg drops form the gripper into the brush wheels. Due tothe speed of the egg chain at the moment of release, the egg follows aparabolic trajectory from a release spot at which it is released by thegripper and a contact spot at which it contacts the brush wheel.

The actuators are positioned such that at a given speed of the eggchain, the eggs lands in the correct area on the brush wheels. From WO2010/028348 it is known to compensate for a change in speed of the eggchains by adjusting the position of the actuators. When the speed of theegg chains increases, the actuators are moved up stream such that thereleased eggs still drop on the brush wheels. However, this solutiononly allows for limited speed changes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first aspect of the present invention aims to provide an alternativeegg chain gripper actuating device, which preferably overcomes, or atleast reduce, the above mentioned problems.

According to the first aspect thereof the invention provides an eggchain gripper actuating device and an egg transfer actuating device. Thefirst aspect of the invention furthermore provides a method for adaptingthe position of actuators.

An egg chain gripper actuating device according to the first aspect ofthe invention comprises one group of one or more actuators for each ofthe at least two egg chains of the transfer device it is to be usedwith. The actuators are designed for selectively actuating passing egggrippers into an open position to release an egg such that the releasedegg follows a parabolic trajectory from a release spot at which it isreleased by the gripper and a contact spot at which it contacts thereceiving area.

The egg chain gripper actuating device furthermore comprises multiplesupport frames, each supporting one or more groups of actuators. Ofthese frames, at least one is adjustable parallel to the transportdirection and relative to another frame, such that the position of theactuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can beadjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of theone or more groups supported by the other frame.

The actuating device according to the first aspect of the inventionallows for adjusting the position of the group or groups of actuatorsfor actuating the grippers of an egg chain or egg chains respectively,independent of the position of the group or groups of actuators foractuating the grippers of another egg chain or egg chains respectively.This is beneficial since this allows for adjusting the position of theactuators in accordance with the specific characteristics of theparticular egg chain, or group of egg chains, and thus for more accurateadjustment.

For example, when the receiving area is defined by a pair of counterrotating brush wheels, the receiving area is essentially V-shaped,having a bottom region and a top region. The latter is formed by theupper ends of the two flanks Eggs released by egg chains located abovethe bottom portion of the receiving area drop over a larger verticaldistance than eggs released by egg chains located above the top portionof the receiving area. Thus, a change in speed of the egg chains is ofbigger influence for those eggs dropped by the egg chains located abovethe bottom portion than by the eggs dropped by egg chains located abovethe top portion of the receiving area.

With an actuating device according to the first aspect of the invention,at least one support frame is adjustable parallel to the transportdirection and relative to another support frame or other support frames.The at least one support frame allows for adjusting the location of theactuators for actuating the grippers of an egg chain located above thelower portion of the receiving area independent of the actuators foractuating the grippers of an egg chain located above the higher portion.Thus, the actuators can be set such that an egg dropped above the bottomportion of the receiving area and an egg dropped above the upper portionof the receiving area are, when seen perpendicular to the transportdirection, received in the brush wheel at about the same location,and/or are dropped from the brush wheels at about the same location.

Preferably at least one frame supports two or more groups of actuatorsfor locating along two or more egg chains respectively, which egg chainsare located at a similar vertical distance above the receiving area suchthat they drop their eggs along parabolic trajectories of similarlength. Thus, by adjusting the position of a single frame, the droptrajectories for multiple egg chains can be adjusted correctly. This isespecially beneficial when the receiving area is symmetrical shaped. Forexample, a receiving area defined by two counter rotating brush wheelsis an essentially V-shaped symmetrical receiving area. When an egg chainis provided above each flank of the receiving area, such that thevertical distance between the grippers supported by the flanks and thereceiving area is essentially the same, the trajectory of the eggsdropped above the receiving areas is the same for both egg chains and isinfluenced by a change of speed of the egg chains in the same manner.Preferably, the frames supporting the one or more actuators locatedalong the respective egg chains are linked such that the trajectory ofthe eggs dropped from the chains can be adjusted for both egg chains byadjusting the position of one frame.

Preferably the actuating device according to the first aspect of theinvention further comprises at least one drive for adjusting theposition of one or more support frames, and a control device to controlthe at least one drive. Thus the system can simply be mounted into anegg transfer device and does not need to be connected to the controldevice of the transfer device to allow operation. In an alternativeembodiment, the control device of the egg transfer device is used tocontrol the one or more drives.

The control device is preferably designed for receiving egg chainconveyor transport speed information and to use this information tocontrol the at least one drive to adjust the position of the one or moremovable frames linked in dependence of the transport speed. Thus thecontrol device can adjust the position of the frames automatically whenthe transport speed of the egg chains changes.

Preferably, the adjustment of a first set of one or more adjustablesupport frames for supporting one or more groups of actuators adjacentone or more egg chains located at a first vertical distance above areceiving area, is linked to the adjustment of at least one second setof one or more adjustable support frames for supporting one or moregroups of actuators adjacent one or more egg chains located at a secondvertical distance above a receiving area, which second vertical distancediffers from the first vertical distance. In this embodiment, the atleast two sets of adjustable support frames are linked such that whenthe position of the first set of frames is adjusted to compensate for achange in speed of the egg chains, the position of the second set offrames is correctly adjusted also. Thus, the frames can be adjusted by asingle drive.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least two sets of adjustablesupport frames are mechanically linked, for example via a linkagesystem, such that one drive can be used to move each set over adifferent distance. A mechanical linkage provides a simple and reliablelink.

In a further preferred alternative embodiment, the at least two sets ofadjustable support frames are each linked to the drive via a separatetransmission, which transmissions are designed such that the one drivecan be used to move each set over a different distance.

In a further preferred alternative embodiment, at least two sets ofadjustable support frames are each provided with a drive, and thecontrol device is designed to control the drives such that each set canbe moved over a different distance. By providing a drive for each set offrames, the location of the support frames can each be individuallycontrolled.

Preferably, each frame is provided with multiple locations for fasteningan actuator, such that the location of the one or more actuators in theframe can be adapted to allow usage of the actuating device with eggtransfer devices that require a different configuration of actuators inthe frame.

The first aspect of the invention furthermore provides an egg transferdevice comprising an egg conveyor, an egg receiving unit and anactuating device according to the first aspect of the invention.

The egg conveyor comprises two or more parallel egg chains movable in atransport direction. Each egg chain supports a plurality of egg gripperseach adapted to support an egg, which grippers can individually beactuated from a closed position, for supporting an egg, into an openposition, for releasing an egg. The egg conveyor furthermore comprisesan egg chain conveyor drive for driving the egg chains at a transportspeed.

The egg receiving unit is provided with a receiving area for receivingeggs released by the egg grippers, which receiving area is defined by atleast one brush wheel rotatable about an axle parallel to the transportdirection of the egg chains. The receiving area is located below the eggconveyor such that the vertical distance between one egg chain and thereceiving area is larger than the vertical distance between another eggchain and the receiving area.

Preferably, at least one adjustable support frame is located, relativeto the one or more other frames for supporting the actuators along anegg chain, above a bottom portion of the receiving area, i.e. the eggchain located at the largest vertical distance above the receiving area.Thus, the position of the actuators for activating the grippers of atleast the egg chain of which the trajectory of a dropped egg is mostinfluenced by changes in the transport speed, is adjustable. In apreferred embodiment according to the first aspect of the invention,multiple adjustable support frames are provided.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one adjustable support frameis provided for supporting the group of actuators for two or more eggchains which egg chains are located at the same vertical distance abovethe receiving area. Thus, the location of the actuators of theseactuators can be adjusted by moving a single of support frames.

For example, in a preferred embodiment, the receiving area is defined bya pair of counter rotating brush wheels located adjacent each other.Each of the brush wheels is rotatable about an axle parallel to thetransport direction of the egg chains and both are located below the eggchains. Thus, a symmetrical, essentially V-shaped receiving area isprovided, which comprises a bottom portion and the top portions locatedon the flanks The receiving area allows for providing egg chains abovethe opposite flanks located at the same height above the receiving area.In a preferred embodiment, the groups of actuators linked to the eggchains located at the same height above the receiving area are supportedon a single frame, such that by adjusting the position of a singleframe, the trajectory for multiple frames can be adjusted.

In an alternative embodiment the receiving area is defined by the atleast one brush wheel rotatable about an axle parallel to the transportdirection of the egg chains and a curved guide surface adjacent saidbrush wheel. In this embodiment, the eggs are dropped in the brush wheeland all egg chains are located at a different height above the receivingarea.

In a preferred embodiment the egg chain conveyor drive is a variablespeed drive for driving the egg chains at an adjustable transport speed.Thus the number of eggs supplied in a given time frame can be adjusted.In a further preferred embodiment according to the first aspect of theinvention, the control device controlling the drive for adjusting theone or more support frames, is designed for receiving egg chain conveyortransport speed information and to use this information to control theat least one drive to adjust the position of the one or more movableframes linked in dependence of the transport speed.

In a further preferred embodiment, the receiving area is in thetransport direction divided into multiple adjacent receiving areas, andeach egg chain is provided with an actuator linked to each receivingarea. Thus, by adjusting the position of a single support frame, theactuators for the receiving areas located along the brush wheel are allpositioned to compensate the drop trajectory of the released eggs, suchthat the eggs fall within the receiving area.

In a further preferred embodiment, divider brushes are provided aboveand between the receiving areas to prevent eggs from skidding over thebrush wheel into the adjacent receiving area.

Preferably, an egg transfer device according to the first aspect of theinvention comprises braking brushes which are provided above the brushwheels to reduce the falling speed of the eggs prior to falling into thebrush wheels. The braking brushes are provided such that the bristles ofthe brushes extend in a horizontal or slightly downward direction and atan angle with the transport direction, preferably perpendicular to thetransport direction. Eggs dropped into the brushes, of which thebristles extend at an angle with the trajectory of the egg, bends thebristles while dropping further downward. The bristles thus slow downthe egg and adjust the trajectory of the falling egg.

Preferably, brushes are provided on opposite sides of the receivingarea, with their bristles directed towards the centre of the receivingarea. The brushes thus also guide the eggs towards the centre of thereceiving area. One brush may receive eggs form one or from more eggchains. In a further embodiment, each egg chain is provided with onebrush, extending along the length of the receiving area.

Providing braking brushes below the grippers reduces the speed of thereleased eggs and thus reduces amount of change in the drop trajectoryof released egg caused by changers in the transport speed. It isobserved that these braking brushes can also be applied without theactivating device. By providing braking brushes, an increase in thetransport speed of the egg chains can be obtained, without adjusting thesize of the receiving areas the eggs are dropped into.

Furthermore, the transport speed of the egg chains of a given eggtransfer device can be increased without the need of adjusting thereceiving area by providing braking brushes according to the invention.Thus the volume of eggs to be transferred by the device per time unitcan be increased without the need of elaborate and costly adjustments ofthe transfer device, in particular without replacing the receiving unitreceiving the dropped eggs.

Preferably, an egg transfer device according to the first aspect of theinvention further comprises one or more collecting devices, preferablycollecting devices comprising lanes associated with each receiving area.The collecting devices are located below the brush wheels for receivingeggs dropped from the brush wheels. The collecting devices have a lengthperpendicular to the transport direction and a width parallel to thetransport direction.

The first aspect of the invention furthermore provides a method foradapting the position of actuators for actuating egg grippers supportedby egg chains which are located at different heights above a receivingarea, using an actuating device according to the first aspect of theinvention to compensate for a change in the speed of the egg chains,which compensation differs in dependence on the vertical distancebetween the egg chain, more in particular the grippers supported by thategg chain, and the receiving area.

A second aspect of the invention is related to an egg transfer devicecomprising multiple parallel egg chains provided with grippers and amethod using such a transfer device.

Egg transfer devices comprising one or more parallel egg chains areknown in the prior art. For example EP 0 588 412 discloses an eggtransfer device comprising multiple parallel egg chains supporting egggrippers for holding eggs and transferring the eggs in a transportdirection. The eggs are typically supplied via a supply conveyor in asupply direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The eggs arelifted into the egg chains by a transfer unit. The transfer unit followsan endless, oval trajectory extending in a plane parallel to thetransport direction. The transfer unit lifts the eggs from a transferbuffer, and accelerates into the transport direction perpendicular tothe supply direction to present the eggs to the egg grippers moving inthe transport direction. The prior art design requires substantialacceleration of the eggs over a short distance to bring the eggs up tospeed with the egg chains, which typically move at high transport speedsto enable a substantial flow through of egg with a minimum number of eggchains. The acceleration increases the risk of the fragile egg brakingduring the transfer into the egg chains.

The second aspect of the present invention aims to provide analternative egg transfer device which preferably overcomes, or at leastreduce, the above mentioned problems.

This object is achieved by the second aspect of the invention providingan egg transfer device. The second aspect of the invention furthermoreprovides a method for using such an egg transfer device.

An egg transfer device according to the second aspect of the inventioncomprises multiple parallel egg chains provided with grippers forengaging eggs and for carrying the eggs along the lower run of the eggchains, at a transport speed and in a transport direction.

The egg transfer device is furthermore provided with a transfer bufferfor receiving multiple rows of eggs from a supply conveyor. The transferbuffer is located below the egg chains and comprises movable eggsupports for supporting eggs while moving them at a supply speed in asupply direction.

The egg transfer device also comprises a transfer unit for liftingmultiple rows of eggs from the transfer buffer into a transfer locationabove the transfer buffer and directly below the egg chains for feedingthe eggs into the grippers. The transfer unit is supported by a drivensupport for moving the transfer unit along an endless transfertrajectory extending in a vertical plane parallel to the supplydirection such that the transfer unit can be moved from a startlocation, via a lift up location for engaging the eggs, into thetransfer location and back down into the start location. The drivensupport is designed such that in the lift up location the transfer unitmoves in the supply direction, preferably with the supply speed, as wellas in the upward direction through the transfer buffer for picking upthe eggs during transport by the transfer buffer in the supplydirection.

The driven support is furthermore designed such that the direction ofmovement of the transfer unit in the transfer location is inverted froman essentially upward direction into an essentially downward directionsuch that an egg is transferred in to an essentially vertical directioninto a gripper.

An egg transfer device comprising a transfer buffer and transfer unitaccording to the second aspect of the invention is optimally equippedfor receiving eggs from a conveyor and feeding them into egg chainsupported grippers. The transfer unit is supported by a driven supportwhich is designed such that the transfer unit of the device is movedalong a transfer trajectory which allows for optimal engaging the eggsfrom the transfer buffer, and optimally presenting the eggs to thegrippers of the egg chains.

The driven support is designed such that the transfer unit is movedalong the transfer trajectory such that in the lift up location thetransfer unit moves in the supply direction as well as in the upwarddirection through the transfer buffer for picking up the eggs duringtransport by the transfer buffer in the supply direction. Thus, the eggscan be lifted from the transfer buffer while still being transported inthe supply direction. This allows for transfer of the eggs with minimalaccelerations, and thus minimizes the chance of breakage of the eggs.The main acceleration is directed upwards such that the eggs are pressessecurely into the transfer unit. Furthermore, no acceleration is presentin a direction perpendicular to the supply direction which contributesto a steady support of the eggs by the transfer unit.

The driven support is furthermore designed such that the direction ofmovement of the transfer unit in the transfer location is inverted froman essentially upward direction into an essentially downward directionsuch that an egg is transferred in to an essentially vertical directioninto a gripper. Thus the eggs are moved upward into the downward hanginggrippers, without substantial movement in other directions. Preferably,the egg is engaged by the gripper when its movement is inverted fromupward to downward, at which moment the vertical speed is zero.

With an egg transfer device according to the second aspect of theinvention, eggs are fed into the egg chains in a direction parallel tothe supply direction such that the egg is not accelerated in a directionperpendicular to the supply direction, furthermore, the eggs are in onesingle movement fed into the egg grippers in a vertical direction, whichallows for optimal engagement by the egg grippers which typically hangdown from the egg chains.

Preferably, the start location of the transfer unit trajectory islocated below the transfer buffer. In this embodiment the egg transferbuffer is provided with parallel fingers extending in the supplydirection, which fingers support the egg supports for movement along thefingers in a supply direction. Furthermore, the egg transfer unitcomprises parallel fingers for supporting eggs which fingers areconfigured for cooperating with the fingers of the transfer buffer suchthat the fingers of the transfer unit can move between the fingers ofthe buffer to engage the eggs from below and lift them from the eggsupports.

This configuration of the transfer device facilitates feeding eggs froma transfer conveyor into the egg chains. The fingers on both thetransfer unit and the buffer allows for the transfer unit to move itsfingers between the fingers of the transfer buffer, and to engage theeggs supported by the transfer buffer from below.

Preferably, the driven support is designed such that the direction ofmovement of the transfer unit in the start location is inverted from amovement essentially contrary to the supply direction to a movement intothe supply direction. The transfer unit is moved into the start positionin an essentially horizontal direction, which allows to correctlyposition the transfer unit below the transfer buffer in an efficientway, and via a compact space. In prior art devices, the transfer unit istypically moved along a curved trajectory which requires more space toallow the transfer unit to be correctly positioned.

Preferably, an egg transfer device according to the second aspect of theinvention comprises a movable support frame for supporting a loopedsection of the egg chains adjacent the transfer location, which supportframe is supported for movement parallel to the transport direction. Asection of the lower run of the egg chains is looped via a first loopwheel and a second loop wheel over the movably mounted support framesuch that a section of the egg chains extends adjacent the transferlocation. The frame comprises a first guide wheel at one end forreceiving the egg chains from the first loop wheel and a second guidewheel at an opposite end for guiding the egg chains towards the secondloop wheel. Furthermore, a drive for is provided for moving the supportframe parallel to the transport direction such that when the frame ismoved contrary to the transport direction the movement of the section ofthe egg chains adjacent the transfer location is reduced relative to thetransport speed such that the eggs supported by the transfer unit can betransferred into the grippers.

With this embodiment, a section of the egg chains can be slowed down toallow the grippers to engage the eggs while moving at a speed lower thanthe transport speed. The egg transfer device thus facilitates engagementof the eggs by the grippers. Preferably, the egg transfer device isprovided with a drive which moves the support frame contrary to thetransport direction with such a speed that the movement of the sectionof the egg chains adjacent the transfer location is essentially stopped,and the grippers are essentially stationary in the transfer locationwhen engaging the eggs. Thus, the eggs can be fed in an essentiallyvertical direction into stationary grippers, which facilitates engagingthe eggs by the grippers.

It is observed that with an egg transfer device according to the secondaspect of the invention only a section of the egg chains is movablysupported. The main part of the egg chains can be supported by fixedframes and driven by a fixed drive. Since the movable support frame onlysupports a section of egg chains, it can be small and light compared tothe support frame supporting the egg chains, which in turn facilitatesquick and iterative movement of the support frame.

Furthermore, with an egg transfer device according to the second aspectof the invention, the speed of only a section of the egg chains isreduced. The main part of the egg chains moves at transport speed whilethe section is slowed down for picking up eggs. The transfer device thusallows for transferring already picked up eggs at transport speed whilenew eggs are fed into the egg chain. Thus, the transport and theprocessing of the picked up eggs, for example providing the eggs to apacking device of presenting the eggs to optical scanning devices,downstream of the transfer location is not hindered and no time is lost.

By providing a transfer buffer and transfer unit for presenting the eggto the egg chains in an essentially vertical direction, in combinationwith a movable support frame which allows to slow down the egg chains,the egg transfer unit is optimally equipped for receiving eggs form aconveyor, in particular a conveyor which provides eggs in a supplydirection perpendicular to the egg transport direction.

Providing the eggs in a supply direction perpendicular to the transportdirection is preferred since it allows for changing the product flowfrom a low speed large width supply flow into a high speed small widthtransfer flow. For example, the egg supply conveyor, typically a slowspeed transport device, provides a flow of eggs constituted by eightparallel rows of eggs, the rows extending in the supply direction. Bylifting the eggs into for example four parallel egg chains, which aretypical high speed transport devices, the flow is transferred into anarrow flow of eggs, which is four rows wide instead of eight. In afurther exemplary embodiment, the eggs are provided in eight parallelflows and transferred into four parallel egg chains.

In a further embodiment of an egg transfer device according to thesecond aspect of the invention, a drop off location for dropping offeggs is provided along the lower run of the egg chains, downstream ofthe looped section and the transfer location. Preferably, the eggtransfer embodiment further comprises an additional movable supportframe, similar to the one described above, for supporting a loopedsection of the egg chains adjacent the drop off location such that themovement of the section of the egg chains adjacent the drop off locationcan be temporarily reduced to drop off eggs. Thus, the movement of theeggs in the horizontal plane is at least reduced relative to thetransport speed, preferably the egg is held stationary, such that it canbe dropped into stationary receiving devices, such as a receptacle orpackaging, with more accuracy. Dropping the eggs from stationarygrippers highly increase the precision of delivery. Furthermore, thereceptacle for receiving the eggs can be provided without bringing it upto the transport speed of the egg chains. Thus presenting the receptacleis facilitated. In the prior art, the transport speed is often limitedto allow for accurate feeding of egg into receptacles.

The second aspect of the invention furthermore provides a method fortransferring eggs from a transfer location to a drop off location usingan egg transfer device as described above.

A third aspect of the invention is related to an egg transfer devicecomprising braking brushes to reduce the speed of egg dropped form amoving egg chain. The braking brushes provide a simple and low costsolution in limiting the change in the drop trajectory of egg releasedby the moving egg chains at an increased speed. The transport speed ofthe egg chains, and thus the volume of processed egg per time unit, canthus be increased without the need of elaborate adjustments to thetransfer device, in particular without replacing the receiving unit forreceiving the eggs.

It will be appreciated that this second and or third aspect of theinvention can advantageously be integrated in the egg transfer deviceaccording to the first aspect of the invention.

Further objects, embodiments and elaborations of the apparatus and themethods according to the first aspect of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description, in which the invention is furtherillustrated and elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplaryembodiments, with reference to the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an activating device according to thefirst aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an egg transfer device according to the firstaspect of the invention with transfer frames in a first position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the transfer device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the egg transfer device of FIG. 2 with thetransfer frames in a second position;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the transfer device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a simplified view in cross section of the transfer deviceshown in FIGS. 2-5; and

FIG. 7 shows a simplified view in cross section of an alternativetransfer device according to the first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a simplified side view perpendicular to the transportdirection of an egg transfer device according to the second aspect ofthe invention in a first position;

FIG. 9 shows a simplified side view perpendicular to the transportdirection of the egg transfer device of FIG. 8 in a second position;

FIG. 10 shows a side view parallel to the transport direction of an eggtransfer device according to the second aspect of the inventioncomprising a transfer buffer and a transfer unit;

FIG. 11 shows a side view perpendicular to the transport direction, inclose up, of the egg transfer device of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 shows a trajectory of the transfer unit of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first aspect of the present invention will now be explainedreferring to FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an egg chain gripper actuating device1 according to the first aspect of the invention. An actuating deviceaccording to the first aspect of the invention comprises one group ofone or more actuators for each egg chain of the transfer device it is tobe used with, and multiple support frames, each supporting one or moregroups of actuators.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the actuating device 1 isprovided with one group of twelve actuators 7 for each of four eggchains. The actuating device is furthermore provided with two supportframes, one frame 2 supporting the middle two groups 5 a, 5 b ofactuators and one frame 3 supporting the two outside groups of actuators6 a, 6 b.

The actuating device 1 shown is thus designed for use with an eggtransfer unit comprising four parallel egg chains. In practice, the eggchain gripper actuating device is located above the egg chains with onegroup of actuators located adjacent each egg chain. The actuators 7 aredesigned for selectively actuating passing egg grippers into an openposition to release an egg. The released egg drops downward. Due to themovement of the grippers in the transport direction at the moment ofrelease, the egg follows a parabolic trajectory from a release spot atwhich it is released by the gripper to a contact spot at which itcontacts the receiving area.

With an actuating device according to the first aspect of the inventionadjustment of a first set of one or more adjustable support frames forsupporting one or more groups of actuators adjacent one or more eggchains located at a first vertical distance above a receiving area, ispreferably linked to the adjustment of at least one second set of one ormore adjustable support frames for supporting one or more groups ofactuators adjacent one or more egg chains located at a second verticaldistance above a receiving area, which second vertical distance differsfrom the first vertical distance. Thus, when the position of the firstset of frames is adjusted to compensate for a change in speed of the eggchains, the position of the second set of frames is correctly adjustedalso. It is observed that egg chains located at a different verticaldistances above the receiving area, need different compensation. Thus,the sets are linked such that the sets are moved over differentdistances.

In the particular embodiment shown, the support frames are supported bytwo support axles 4, one at each end of the frames 2,3. The axles 4mechanically link the movement of the first frame 2 to the movement ofthe second frame 3. The axles 4 are provided at their outer ends withsprocket wheels 10 for cooperation with racks 11 to be fixed to theframe of an egg transfer device. Thus, the axles 4 can move the framesparallel to the transport direction. It is noted that in the particularembodiment shown, the outer frame 3 is pivotably connected to the axle4, such that this frame moves with the same speed and over the samedistance as the driven axles. The inner frame 2 however is connected tothe support axles via a second set of sprocket wheels 12 and racks 13.This second set functions as a multiplier, such that when the outersupport frame is moved over a distance A, the inner frame is moved overa distance A+B.

Preferably, an actuating device according to the first aspect of theinvention is provided with at least one drive for adjusting the positionof one or more support frames, and a control device to control the atleast one drive. The control device is preferably designed for receivingegg chain conveyor transport speed information and to use thisinformation to control the at least one drive to adjust the position ofthe one or more movable frames linked in dependence of the transportspeed.

The particular embodiment shown is provided with a single drive 8 whichis in practice for example mounted on the frame of the egg transferdevice the adjustment device is used with. The drive is controlled by acontrol device 14. The drive 8 is provided with a spindle 9 which can beextended and retracted, and which is connected to the support frame 3supporting the outer groups 6 a, 6 b of actuators, to push and pull thesupport frame parallel to the transfer direction of the egg chainsextending below it. In an alternative embodiment, the drive for exampleengages the axles supporting the frames, or is connected to theadjustable frames via chains and sprocket wheels, etc.

Since the movement of the two frames 6 a, 6 b is linked via the twosupporting axles, the one drive in the embodiment shown can be used tomove each frame, and thus the sets of actuators supported by that frame,over a different distance. The position of the frames can thus beadjusted parallel to the transport direction, relative to one anotherand relative to the main frame (not shown in FIG. 1) of a transferdevice supporting the actuating device. By adjusting the position of thesupport frames relative to the main frame, the position of the actuatorsof the groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to theposition of the actuators of the groups supported by the other frame. Byadjusting the place of the actuators, the location at which the grippersare activated by the actuators is adjusted, and thus the location atwhich a released egg contacts a receiving area below the gripper isadjusted.

It is observed that egg chains in egg transfer devices typically runparallel to each other, at the same height and at the same speed. Thereceiving area of an egg transfer device is typically defined by one ormore brush wheels, more in particular the circumferential surface of thebrush wheels. The receiving area is thus not a horizontal surface, but acurved surface, and when defined by a pair of counter rotating brushwheels, a V-shaped surface.

With the adjusting device shown, both the location of the inner 5 a, 5 band outer groups 6 a, 6 b of actuators can be adjusted. The actuatingdevice 1 is especially suited for use four parallel egg chains of whichthe two central egg chains drop their eggs from a first height above thereceiving area and the two outer egg chains drop their eggs from asecond height above the receiving area. This configuration of egg chainsis typical for a V-shaped receiving area, for example defined by twocounter rotating brush wheels.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuator is for example designed foruse with a W-shaped receiving area defined by two pairs of counterrotating brush wheels, or an essentially /-shaped receiving area definedby one brush wheel. In the latter case, the egg chains are all locatedat different vertical distances above the receiving area. Preferably,the actuators for each egg chain are supported by a separate adjustableframe to allow for optimal adjustment.

In a preferred embodiment, all groups of actuators are supported on amovable frame. Preferably, the actuating device is designed such thatthe groups of actuators which are located adjacent egg chains located atessentially the same distance above the receiving area, and which thusdrop their eggs along parabolic trajectories of essentially similarshape and length, are supported by a single frame. Thus, when thetransport speed of the egg chains changes, the trajectory of the eggsdropped by the egg chains located at a similar distance above thereceiving area can be compensated by moving a single frame. The positionof the actuators is adjusted such that the eggs released by the eggchains are dropped at a particular drop spot or in a particular zonewithin the receiving area, and for example do not fall short orovershoot the receiving area due to the change in transport speed.

FIGS. 2-5 show an egg transfer device 15 according to the first aspectof the invention, comprising the actuating device 1 of FIG. 1. The eggtransfer device 15 further comprises an egg conveyor and an eggreceiving unit 17.

The egg conveyor comprises four parallel egg chains movable in atransport direction, indicated with arrow 25. The egg chains are notshown in the figures, but in practice run below the actuating device 1,one egg chain below each group of actuators 5, 6. In FIG. 2 the eggchains are indicated by dotted lines 16. In an alternative embodiment,the egg conveyor is provided with two, three or more egg chains, and theactuating device is provided with two, three or more groups of actuatorsrespectively.

Each egg chain supports a plurality of egg grippers. The grippers areeach adapted to support an egg, and can individually be actuated from aclosed position, for supporting an egg, into an open position, forreleasing an egg,

The egg conveyor furthermore comprises an egg chain conveyor drive (notshown) for driving the egg chains at a transport speed. Preferably, theegg chain conveyor drive is a variable speed drive for driving the eggchains at an adjustable transport speed. With such a drive, the speed ofthe egg chains can be adjusted to increase or decrease the number ofeggs transferred per time unit. Thus, the position of the actuatorsneeds to be adjusted also, to compensate for the change in trajectoriesof the dropped eggs due to the change in transport speed. Preferably,the actuating device is designed to automatically adjust the position ofthe actuators when the transport speed of the egg chains changes.Furthermore, during starting and stopping the egg chains, the chain pickup speed and slow down over a certain period of time. The speed of theegg chains thus gradually changes. Preferably the actuating device isdesigned to gradually adjust the position of the actuators during thestart up phase and the stop phase also.

In an alternative embodiment, the conveyor drive is suitable for drivingthe egg chains at one speed only. In such an embodiment the actuatingdevice is preferably designed for adjusting the position of theactuators during the start up or slow down process of the transferprocess when the egg chains pick up speed or gradually slow downrespectively. Also, the actuating device according to the first aspectof the invention allows for adapting the location of the actuators whenthe egg chain drive is replaced for a faster or slower drive, or whenthe actuator is transferred to another egg transfer device.

The egg receiving unit 17 is provided with a receiving area 18 forreceiving eggs released by the egg grippers. The receiving area 18 inthe particular embodiment shown is defined by a pair of counter rotatingbrush wheels 19, which are each rotatable about an axle parallel to thetransport direction 25 of the egg chains. The receiving area 18 islocated below the egg conveyor such that the vertical distance betweenone egg chain and the receiving area is larger than the verticaldistance between another egg chain and the receiving area.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified view in cross section of the egg chains 20located above the pair of brush wheels 19. The receiving area 18 definedby the brush wheels is essentially V-shaped. The central pair of eggchains is located above a lower portion of the receiving area, and thepair of outer egg chains is located above the top portion of thereceiving area.

The receiving area of the particular embodiment shown is in thetransport direction 25 divided into multiple adjacent receiving areas18′. Each brush wheel 19 is divided into two sections which each aredivided into six sections 18′. The sections of the two counter rotatingbrush wheels 19 together form such a receiving area 18′. The brushwheels 19 are divided into multiple segments by disc shaped dividerwheels 22. The disc shaped divider wheels 29 are preferably made of aflexible material such as rubber and prevent an egg from crossing theboundary between the receiving areas. Divider discs are generally knownform the prior art and are therefore not elaborated upon here. In analternative embodiment, the receiving areas may be separated by othersolutions known form the prior art, or may not be physically separated.

Below the receiving area 18, collecting devices 23 are provided in theform of multiple lanes 24 associated with the multiple receiving areas18′ of the counter rotating brush wheels 19. The egg received in aparticular receiving area, is dropped from the brush wheels in the lanelocated below that receiving area and guided away from the receivingunit, for example to a transport conveyor or packaging device forfurther processing the eggs.

In the embodiment shown, the actuator device 1 is provided with twoadjustable support frames 2, 3. One support frame 2 supports theactuators 7 located along the central egg chains 20 which are locatedabove the bottom part of the receiving area 18, and the other movableframe 3 supports the actuators 7 located along the egg chains 21 locatedabove the top portion of the receiving area 18. Preferably, the supportframes are movably supported by the frame of the transfer device, forexample by wheels or roller bearings.

Each egg chain is provided with one actuator for each receiving area,thus each group of actuators 5 a, 5 b, 6 a, 6 b comprises twelveactuators 7, such that from each egg chain eggs can be delivered in eachreceiving area. From the top view shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 it is clearthat each egg chain is provided with an actuator 7 linked to eachreceiving area.

The transfer device is provided with a drive 8 for adjusting theposition of the support frames, and a control device 14 which controlsthe drive to adjust the position of both frames in dependence of thetransport speed, such that an egg dropped above the bottom part of thereceiving area enters the brush wheel at essentially the same in line,when seen perpendicular to the transport direction, as an egg droppedabove the flank part of the receiving area, indifferent of the transportspeed of the egg chains.

The device is provided with a drive 8 for adjusting the position of thetwo support frames, and a control device 14 to control the drive 8. Thecontrol device 14 is designed for receiving egg chain conveyor transportspeed information and to use this information to control the at leastone drive to adjust the position of the one or more movable frameslinked in dependence of the transport speed.

In the particular embodiment shown, the two support frames 2,3 aresupported by two support axles 4, one at each end of the frames, whichmechanically link the movement of the first frame 2 to the movement ofthe second frame 3. The axles 4 are provided at their outer ends withsprocket wheels 10 for cooperation with racks 11 to be fixed to theframe of the egg transfer device. The axles 4 can drive in the racks 11and thus move the frames 2,3 parallel to the transport direction 25. Itis noted that in the particular embodiment shown, the outer frame 3 ispivotably connected to the axle, such that this frame moves with thesame speed and over the same distance as the axles 4. The inner frame 2is connected to the support axles 4 via a second sprocket wheel 12 andrack 13 connection. This connection functions as a multiplier, such thatwhen the outer support frame is moved over a distance A, the inner frameis moved over a distance A+B. This effect is clearly shown in the twotop views of FIGS. 2 and 4.

FIG. 2 shows the frames 2, 3 located in a position for dropping the eggsat a low transport speed. In the figure shown, the egg chains, indicatedwith dotted lines 16, move the eggs in a transport direction from rightto left and indicated with arrow 25. The actuator 7 for each receivingarea 8′ is located above the receiving areas in which the egg dropped bythe activated egg gripper should fall. It is observed that at a lowspeed the actuators for actuating grippers of the central two chains,located above the bottom portion of the receiving area, are located inline with the actuators for actuating grippers of the outer two eggchains.

FIG. 4 shows the frames 2, 3 located in a position for dropping the eggsat a high transport speed. Compared to FIG. 2, the support frames aremoved to the right, i.e. upstream relative to the transport direction25. The actuators 7 are located upstream the receiving areas 8′ in whichan egg released by actuation of a gripper by the particular actuatordrops. At high transport speeds, the actuators activate the grippersprior to arriving at the receiving area. Due to the transport speed, areleased egg travels into the transport direction during the drop andthus follows a parabolic trajectory from the release point to the pointwhere the egg contacts the receiving area and ethers the rush wheel.

The eggs dropped above the bottom section of the receiving area fallover a large vertical distance compared to the eggs dropped above thehigher portion of the receiving area. These eggs thus travel further inthe transport direction after release by the actuator. With an actuatingdevice according to the first aspect of the invention, the eggs carriedby the egg chains located above the lower portion of the receiving areaare released further upstream than the eggs carried by egg chainslocated above the higher portion of the receiving area, such that evenat high speeds the eggs of both the inner and outer egg chains arereceived in the proper receiving area, and do not overshot.

The first aspect of the invention thus provides a method for adaptingthe position of actuators for actuating egg grippers supported by eggchains which are located at different heights above a receiving area,using an actuating device as described above to compensate for a changein the speed of the egg chains, which compensation differs in dependenceon the vertical distance between the egg chain, more in particular thegrippers supported by that egg chain, and the receiving area.

Since an actuating device according to the first aspect of the inventionallows for positioning support frames, more in particular the groups ofactuators, over different distances, the actuators can be located suchthat egg dropped from different heights enter the brush wheels in spotslocated essentially in line with each other, when seen perpendicular tothe transport direction, at all transport speeds. This allows for narrowreceiving areas and thus for compact transfer devices.

In a preferred embodiment, the control device which controls the drivefor adjusting the position of the frames is provided with informationabout the transport speed of the egg chains, for example via a sensor orfrom a control device of the egg chain drive. Based on this informationthe position of the frames is adjusted such that the eggs released byactuating the grippers drop in the correct receiving areas. The correctposition of the one or more frames for a particular transport speed arefor example provided in a table in a memory of the control device. Inthis table different speeds are linked to locations of the supportframes. Preferably the frames are linked such that by the correctadjustment of the position of one frame the other frames are moved suchthat their position is adjusted correctly also.

In an alternative embodiment, the control device is provided with sensordevices which monitor the trajectory of dropped eggs relative to thereceiving areas. The control device can use this feedback information tocorrectly adjust the position of the frames.

The preferred embodiment of an egg transfer device shown in FIGS. 2-5 isfurthermore provided with finger shaped divider brushes 26. These fingershaped brushes are located above and between the receiving areas 18′ toprevent eggs dropped at high speed from skidding over the brush wheelsurface into the adjacent receiving area.

The egg transfer device is furthermore provided with braking brushes 27which are provided above the brush wheels 18 to reduce the falling speedof the eggs prior to contacting the brush wheels. The braking brushes 27are provided along the entire receiving area 18 and are not divided inreceiving sections 18′ like the brush wheels 19. The braking brushes 27extend at an angle to the horizontal, which facilitates entry of adropped egg between the bristles of the brush.

The braking brushes and the finger shaped brushes slow down the eggsduring their fall, and reduces their speed into the transport direction.Thus, the influence of an increase in transport speed on the trajectoryof the egg is reduced. The actuating device can be used with highertransport speeds when combined with the brushes.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an receiving area 25, whichreceiving area is defined by one brush wheel 26 rotatable about an axleparallel to the transport direction of the egg chains and a curved plateadjacent said brush wheel. The receiving area 25 is essentially/-shaped, and has half the width of the receiving area shown in FIG. 6when a brush wheel with a similar diameter is provided. Two egg chains28, 29 are located above the brush wheel, one egg chain 28 above thelower portion of the receiving area and one egg chain 29 above the topportion of the receiving area 25. With such a transfer device, at leastthe actuators for the egg chain 28 located above the lower portion ofthe receiving area 25 are supported by a moveable support frame.Preferably the actuators for the egg chain 29 located above the higherportion of the receiving area are supported by a support frame also,such that both groups of actuators can be moved relative to thereceiving area and relative to each other. Embodiments of an actuatingdevice according to the first aspect of the invention for use with otherconfigurations of receiving areas and/or number of egg chains arepossible.

In an embodiment alternative to the one shown in FIG. 1 the at least twosets of adjustable support frames are mechanically linked using alinkage system or other mechanical system. In an alternative embodimentaccording to the first aspect of the invention, the at least two sets ofadjustable support frames are each linked to the drive via a separatetransmission, or the at least two sets of adjustable support frames areeach provided with a drive, and the control device is designed tocontrol the drives such each set can be moved over a different distance.In a further embodiment, a first frame is adjusted by a first drivemounted on a second adjustable support frame which frame in turn isadjusted by a second drive mounted on the frame of an egg transferdevice (or another adjustable frame). Thus, the second drive moves boththe second frame and the first frame supporting the first drive. Thefirst drive moves the first frame only. To move the first frame over adistance A+B, the first drive moves the first frame over the distance Band the second drive moves the second frame over the distance A.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the first aspect of theinvention, each frame is provided with multiple locations for fasteningan actuator, such that the location of the one or more actuators in theframe can be adapted to allow usage of the actuating device withdifferent egg transfer devices, for example with a transfer deviceprovided with differently sized and/or spaced receiving areas.

Now referring to FIGS. 8-12 the second aspect of the present inventionwill be illustrated. It is noted that the FIG. 8 already discloses tothe skilled person that the second aspect of the invention can becombined with the egg transfer device.

FIG. 8 shows an egg transfer device 101 according to the second aspectof the invention. The egg transfer device 101 comprises four egg chains102, of which only one shows in this particular side view. It isobserved that in alternative embodiments, the device can be providedwith less or more egg chains, preferably two or more. It is furthermoreobserved that, in an embodiment in which the egg chains extendperpendicular to the supply conveyor, the number of egg chains is equalto the number of rows lifted by the transfer unit.

The more rows the transfer unit lifts in one turn, the more time thereis to return the transfer unit back into the lift up position, whichallows for a more stable movement and a low power drive for moving thedriven support.

The egg chains are provided with grippers (not shown), hanging down fromthe egg chains, for engaging eggs and for carrying the eggs along thelower run 103 of the egg chains. The eggs are transported at a transportspeed and in a transport direction, which is indicated with arrow 104.

The transfer device comprises a transfer buffer 111 and a transfer unit113 to feed the eggs supplied by a supply conveyor 112 to the grippersof the egg chains 102. FIG. 10 shows a side view, seen in the transportdirection of the egg chains, of the transfer buffer 111 for receivingrows of eggs from a supply conveyor 112, and a transfer unit 113 forlifting eggs from the transfer buffer into the transfer location 107above the transfer buffer. The direction of movement is indicated witharrow 123. The transfer unit 113 and the transfer buffer 111 are locatedbelow the egg chains 102 of the transfer device.

FIG. 11 shows a view in close up of the transfer buffer seen in thetransport direction. The transfer buffer receives the eggs from thesupply conveyor 112, on which the eggs for example are supported byrails or rolls. The transfer buffer 111 comprises parallel fingers 114supporting egg supports 115 for movement along the fingers in a supplydirection 116. Each egg is supported on two fingers 114 such that thetransfer unit 113 can move between the fingers 114 to engage thesupported egg from below, while the egg is moved along the fingers 114in the supply direction 116. In the particular embodiment shown, thefingers 114 comprise endless tracks provided with egg supports 115. Theendless tracks move the eggs along the fingers 114 in the supplydirection 116. By using endless tracks, the eggs are transported with acontinuous speed along the fingers, which reduces the risk of the eggsfalling from the egg supports 115.

In an alternative embodiment, solutions known in the art for moving eggsmay be provided to transport the eggs along the fingers.

The transfer unit 113 for lifting eggs from the transfer buffer 111 intothe transfer location 107 above the transfer buffer comprises parallelfingers 123 supporting egg supports also. The fingers 123 of thetransfer unit 113 are designed for cooperation with the fingers 114 ofthe transfer buffer 111. The fingers of the transfer unit can be movedbetween the fingers of the transfer buffer to pick up the eggs frombelow. From FIG. 11 it is clear that the fingers 123 of the transferunit 113 are located between the fingers 114 of the transfer buffer 111.The transfer unit shown supports the eggs each on one finger. It isobserved that in an alternative embodiment, the eggs may be supported bymultiple fingers of the transfer unit and/or the transfer bufferrespectively, which fingers are positioned such that the fingers of thetransfer unit can move between the fingers of the transfer buffer.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transfer unit is provided withfingers which move between the rows of eggs presented on the transferbuffer, and engage the eggs from the sides. In such an embodiment thetransfer unit does not engage the eggs from below the egg supports ofthe transfer buffer. Thus, in this embodiment the transfer buffer doesnot need to be provided with fingers.

In a transfer device according to the second aspect of the invention,the transfer unit 113 is supported by a driven support 122 for movementof the transfer unit along an endless transfer trajectory 117 extendingin a vertical plane parallel to the supply direction 116. FIG. 12 showsthe transfer trajectory 117. The transfer unit is moved along thetrajectory from a start location 118, in the preferred embodiment shownlocated below the buffer, via a lift up location 119 between theparallel rows of egg supports into the transfer location 120 and backdown into the start location. The preferred transfer trajectory 117shown allows for optimal engaging the eggs from the transfer buffer, andoptimally presenting the eggs to the grippers of the egg chains in thetransfer location.

The drive support 122 of the transfer unit 113 is designed such that thedirection of movement of the transfer unit in the start location 118 isinverted from a movement essentially contrary to the supply direction116 to a movement into the supply direction 116. The transfer unit ismoved into the start position 118 in an essentially horizontaldirection, which allows to correctly position the transfer unit 113below the eggs supported by the transfer buffer 111 in an efficient way.In prior art devices, the transfer unit is typically moved along acurved trajectory which requires more space to allow the transfer unitto be correctly positioned.

Furthermore, the drive support 122 of the transfer unit 113 is designedsuch that the transfer unit is moved along the transfer trajectory suchthat in the transfer location 119 the transfer unit 113 moves in thesupply direction as well as in the upward direction through the transferbuffer 111 for picking up the eggs during transport by the transferbuffer in the supply direction. Thus, the eggs can be lifted from thetransfer buffer while still being transported in the supply direction.This allows for transfer of the eggs with minimal accelerations, andthus minimizes the chance of breakage of the eggs.

Furthermore, the driven support 122 of the transfer unit 113 is designedsuch that the direction of movement of the transfer unit 113 in thetransfer location 120 of the transfer trajectory is inverted from anessentially upward direction into an essentially downward direction suchthat an egg is transferred into an essentially vertical direction into agripper located in the transfer location 107. Thus the eggs are movedupward into the downward hanging grippers, without substantial movementin other directions. Preferably, the egg is engaged by the gripper atthe moment the movement is inverted from upward to downward at which thevertical speed is zero.

It is observed that given the trajectory shown in FIG. 12, it lieswithin the general knowledge of the skilled person to design a drivensupport for movement of the transfer unit along that trajectory. It isfurthermore observed that a transfer unit moved along an alternative,less optimal, trajectory can also be used for feeding the eggs into thepick up position.

In the particular embodiment shown, a movable support frame 105 isprovided for supporting a section 106 of the egg chains 103 adjacent atransfer location 107. The support frame 105 is supported for movementparallel to the transport direction 104.

A section 106 of the lower run of the egg chains 102 is looped via afirst loop wheel 108 a and a second loop wheel 108 b over the movablymounted support frame 105 such that a section 106 of the egg chains 102extends adjacent the transfer location 107.

The support frame 105 comprises a first guide wheel 109 a at one end forreceiving the egg chains from the first loop wheel 108 a and a secondguide wheel 109 b at an opposite end for guiding the egg chains towardsthe second loop wheel 109 b. It is observed that in the distance betweenthe guide wheels on the opposite ends of the movable support frame islarger than the distance between the loop wheels such that the eggchains guided by a loop wheel and a guide wheel follows a S-shapedtrajectory.

A drive 110 is provided for moving the support frame 105 parallel to thetransport direction 104 such that when the frame 105 is moved contraryto the transport direction, the movement of the section 106 of the eggchains adjacent the transfer location 107 is reduced relative to thetransport speed to allow the grippers to pick up eggs provided in thetransfer location.

FIG. 8 shows the transfer device 101 with the movable support frame 105in a first position, and FIG. 9 shows the transfer device with themovable support frame in a second position. The drive 110 moves theframe between these positions. When the frame is moved in a directionopposite to the transport direction, i.e. from the position shown inFIG. 8 into the position shown in FIG. 9, the section of the egg chainssupported by the frame is moved in a direction opposite the transportdirection also. By this movement of the frame 105, the speed relative tothe pick up position of the sections of the egg chains 106, extendingalong the transfer location 107, is reduced. Thus the egg chains movealong the transfer location with a speed lower than the transport speed,which facilitates engaging eggs presented in the transfer location withthe grippers supported by the egg chains.

Preferably, the drive is designed to move the support frame contrary tothe transport direction with a speed such that the movement of thesection of the egg chains adjacent the transfer location is essentiallyreduced to near stand still, preferably stand still, such that thegrippers are essentially stationary relative to the transfer locationwhen engaging the eggs in the transfer location.

After the eggs are picked up by the grippers, the frame is moved in thetransport direction to return to its initial position shown in FIG. 8.This movement of the frame accelerates the egg chains supported by theframe up to a speed higher than the transport speed. Since the eggs areat this moment securely held in the grippers, this chance of breakage ofthe eggs is minimal. When the section of the egg chains has passed theguide wheel guiding the egg chain towards the second loop wheel, thespeed of the egg chain is reduced to transport speed. Thus, outside thelooped section, the eggs are transported at transport speed, while thespeed of the egg chains adjacent the transfer location is reduced topick up the eggs.

With an egg transfer device according to the second aspect of theinvention, eggs are transported by egg chains at a transport speed,while the speed of sections of the egg chains can be reduced tofacilitate picking up eggs. Thus the transfer device provides egg chainswhich combine optimal transport speed with optimal pick up speed in onetransfer device. Preferably, the egg transfer device is designed forreceiving a flow of eggs which is provided in a supply directionperpendicular to the transport direction, which allows to pick up highquantities of eggs at the optimal pick up speed and thus to use the eggchains as the high volume transport device they are intended for.

The egg transfer device shown is furthermore provided with a drop offlocation 120 along the lower run 103 of the egg chains 102 for droppingoff eggs. The drop off location 121 is provided downstream of the loopedsection 106 adjacent the transfer location 107.

In a further embodiment, the egg transfer device further comprises anadditional movable support frame, similar to the one in the transferlocation, for supporting a looped section of the egg chains adjacent thedrop off location such that the movement of the section of the eggchains adjacent the drop off location can be temporarily reduced to dropoff eggs. Thus, the movement of the eggs in the horizontal plane is atleast reduced relative to the transport speed, preferably the egg isheld stationary, such that it can be dropped into stationary receivingdevices, such as a receptacle or packaging, with more accuracy. Droppingthe eggs from stationary grippers highly increase the precision ofdelivery. Furthermore, the receptacle for receiving the eggs can beprovided without bringing it up to the transport speed of the eggchains. Thus presenting the receptacle is facilitated. In the prior art,the transport speed is often limited to allow for accurate feeding ofegg into receptacles.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the direction ofmovement of the transfer unit, the transfer buffer, the supply conveyorand optionally the egg chains is inverted to provide an egg transferdevice for receiving egg form an egg chain and feeding those eggs to aconveyor. Except for the direction of movement the egg transfer deviceis similar to the ones described here above.

Such an egg transfer device thus comprises multiple parallel egg chainsprovided with grippers for engaging eggs and for carrying the eggs alongthe lower run of the egg chains at a transport speed in a transportdirection. The direction of movement of the egg chains is not relevantfor the working of the transfer unit and the transfer buffer, especiallywhen the egg chains are slowed down or even stopped in the transferlocation.

The transfer unit for receiving multiple rows of eggs from the eggchains in the transfer location directly below the egg chains issupported by a driven support for moving the transfer unit along anendless transfer trajectory extending in a vertical plane parallel tothe supply direction such that the transfer unit can be moved from. Thetrajectory can be similar to the one of the egg transfer devicedescribed here above, although the direction of movement is inverted.

The transfer unit thus lowers the eggs from the transfer location belowthe egg chains to the transfer buffer, which moves the eggs towards thesupply conveyor which in turn moves the eggs in a supply direction witha supply speed away from the egg transfer device, more in particularaway from the transfer buffer.

Since the direction of movement along the transfer trajectory isinverted it is local to rename the “lift up” location as “let down”location and the “start position” as “end position”. Thus the transferunit moves form the transfer location, via the let down location forreleasing the eggs, into the end location and back up into the transferlocation. The driven support is designed such that in the let downlocation the transfer unit moves in the supply direction, preferablywith the supply speed, as well as in the downward direction through thetransfer buffer for setting down the eggs on the transfer buffer. Thetransfer buffer subsequently transports the eggs into the supplydirection and to the supply conveyor.

The direction of movement of the transfer unit in the transfer locationis inverted from an essentially upward direction into an essentiallydownward direction such that an egg is received in an essentiallyvertical direction from a gripper.

It is observed that when the text refers to egg chains, this may alsocomprise transport chains supporting multiple rows of egg grippers.Thus, one chain can transport multiple rows of eggs. In such anembodiment groups of actuators are provided for each row of egg gripper.

It is furthermore observed that the device according to the inventionare also suitable for use with transfer device for transporting otherround, fragile articles such as for example fruit or vegetables.

What is claimed is:
 1. An egg chain gripper actuating device for usewith an egg transfer device comprising: an egg conveyor with two or moreparallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each egg chainsupporting a plurality of egg grippers each adapted to support an egg,which grippers can individually be actuated from a closed position, forsupporting an egg, into an open position, for releasing an egg, the eggconveyor further comprising an egg chain conveyor drive for driving theegg chains at a transport speed; an egg receiving unit with a receivingarea for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers which receivingarea is defined by at least one brush wheel rotatable about an axleparallel to the transport direction of the egg chains and which islocated below the egg conveyor such that the vertical distance betweenone egg chain and the receiving area is larger than the verticaldistance between another egg chain and the receiving area; wherein theegg chain gripper actuating device comprises: one group of one or moreactuators for each egg chain, which actuators are designed forselectively actuating passing egg grippers into an open position torelease an egg such that the released egg follows a parabolic trajectoryfrom a release spot at which it is released by the gripper to a contactspot at which it contacts the receiving area; and multiple supportframes, each supporting one or more groups of actuators, of which atleast one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction andrelative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators ofthe one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relativeto the position of the one or more actuators of the one or more groupssupported by the other frame.
 2. An actuating device according to claim1, wherein at least one frame supports two or more groups of actuatorsfor locating along two or more egg chains respectively, which chains arelocated at a similar vertical distance above the receiving area suchthat they drop their eggs along parabolic trajectories of similar shapeand length.
 3. An actuating device according to claim 1, furthercomprising at least one drive for adjusting the position of one or moresupport frames, and a control device to control the at least one drive.4. Egg transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the control deviceis designed for receiving egg chain conveyor transport speed informationand to use this information to control the at least one drive to adjustthe position of the one or more movable frames linked to the drive independence of the transport speed.
 5. An actuating device according toclaim 1, wherein the adjustment of a first set of one or more adjustablesupport frames for supporting one or more groups of actuators adjacentone or more egg chains located at a first vertical distance above areceiving area, is linked to the adjustment of at least one second setof one or more adjustable support frames for supporting one or moregroups of actuators adjacent one or more egg chains located at a secondvertical distance above a receiving area, which second vertical distancediffers from the first vertical distance, such that when the position ofthe first set of frames is adjusted to compensate for a change in speedof the egg chains, the position of the second set of frames is correctlyadjusted also.
 6. An actuating device according to claim 5, wherein theat least two sets of adjustable support frames are mechanically linked,such that one drive can be used to move each set over a differentdistance.
 7. An actuating device according to claim 5, wherein the atleast two sets of adjustable support frames are each linked to a drivevia a separate transmission, which transmissions are designed such thatthe one drive can be used to move each set over a different distance. 8.An actuating device according to claim 5, wherein the at least two setsof adjustable support frames are each provided with a drive, and thecontrol device is designed to control the drives such that each set canbe moved over a different distance.
 9. An actuating device according toclaim 1, wherein each frame is provided with multiple locations forfastening actuators, such that the location of the one or more actuatorsin the frame can be adapted to allow usage of the actuating device withegg transfer devices that require a different configuration of actuatorsin the frame.
 10. An egg transfer device comprising: an egg conveyorwith two or more parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction,each egg chain supporting a plurality of egg grippers each adapted tosupport an egg, which grippers can individually be actuated from aclosed position, for supporting an egg, into an open position, forreleasing an egg, the egg conveyor further comprising an egg chainconveyor drive for driving the egg chains at a transport speed; an eggreceiving unit with a receiving area for receiving eggs released by theegg grippers which receiving area is defined by at least one brush wheelrotatable about an axle parallel to the transport direction of the eggchains and which is located below the egg conveyor such that thevertical distance between one egg chain and the receiving area is largerthan the vertical distance between another egg chain and the receivingarea; and the actuating device according to claim
 1. 11. An egg transferdevice according to claim 10, wherein the receiving area is defined by apair of counter rotating brush wheels, each rotatable about an axleparallel to the transport direction of the egg chains and both locatedbelow the egg chains.
 12. An egg transfer device according to claim 10,wherein the receiving area is defined by the at least one brush wheelrotatable about an axle parallel to the transport direction of the eggchains and a curved guide surface adjacent said brush wheel.
 13. An eggtransfer device according claim 10, wherein the egg chain conveyor driveis a variable speed drive for driving the egg chains at an adjustabletransport speed.
 14. An egg transfer device according to claim 10,wherein the receiving area is in the transport direction divided intomultiple adjacent receiving areas, and wherein each egg chain isprovided with an actuator linked to each receiving area.
 15. An eggtransfer device according to claim 14, further comprising dividerbrushes which are provided above and between the receiving areas toprevent eggs from skidding over the brush wheel into the adjacentreceiving area.
 16. An egg transfer device according to claim 10,wherein one support frame is provided for supporting a group or groupsof actuators of each set of egg chains located at the same verticaldistance from the receiving area.
 17. An egg transfer device accordingto claim 10, further comprising braking brushes which are provided abovethe receiving area to reduce the falling speed of the eggs prior tofalling into the brush wheels.
 18. Method for adapting the position ofactuators for actuating egg grippers supported by egg chains whichchains are located at different heights above a receiving area, using anactuating device according to claim 3 to compensate for a change in thetransport speed of the egg chains, which compensation depends on thevertical distance between the egg chain, more in particular the gripperssupported by that egg chain, and the receiving area, the methodcomprising the steps: providing egg chain conveyor transport speedinformation to the egg chain gripper actuating device; control the atleast one drive to adjust the position of the at least one adjustablesupport frame in dependence of the transport speed; and adjust theposition of the at least one adjustable support frame parallel to thetransport direction and relative to another support frame.